Netflix Picks Rushdie’s ‘Midnight’s Children’ for Original Series

Netflix Inc., one of the world’s largest online entertainment services, announced on 29 June that it would be launching an original series based on Salman Rushdie’s book Midnight’s Children.

According to the press statement, the series will be made available to Netflix’s 125 million members, across 190 countries.

Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children is a seminal work of fiction. Published in 1981, it has won a series of accolades, including the 1981 Booker Prize, the Best of the Booker – both in 1993 and 2008, and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. It follows the life of Saleem Sinai, who was born at the stroke of midnight on 15 August, 1947 – the hour that marked India’s independence.

Speaking about the original series based on the novel, Erik Barmack, VP, International Originals, Netflix, said, “Midnight’s Children is one of the great novels of the world, and its themes are still relevant to the India of today. The narrative continues to fascinate audiences decades after it was first published.”

We are incredibly excited to translate this pioneering work of fiction that parallels the birth of modern India for a global audience. The rich experience and talent of Indian creators, combined with the global reach of Netflix, have the potential for millions of more people around the world to rediscover this story.

Erik Barmack, in the press statement

Midnight’s Children is considered as one of the best works put forward by Rushdie, who was knighted in 2007. Rushdie has faced more than his share of public contempt and has even been issued fatwas for the nature of content in his books.

This isn’t the first time that this novel has been adapted for the big screen. In 2013, Director Deepa Mehta made a movie on it, which went on to win many international awards.

On his book being turned into an original series on the streaming platform, he said, “I am absolutely delighted that Midnight’s Children will have a new life on Netflix, and greatly look forward to working with them to help create it.”